Tunable vibration and acoustic noise suppression in an air-mover assembly

ABSTRACT

A mounting assembly comprising a rigid connector structure configured to attach an air-regulating plate of an air-mover unit to an enclosure of the air-mover unit, wherein the air-regulating plate is in an air-flow pathway of air-moving elements of the air-mover unit. The assembly also comprises a flexible connector structure, wherein at least part of the flexible connector structure is held in-between a plate-mounting portion of the air-regulating plate and an enclosure-mounting portion of the enclosure by the rigid connector structure.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application is directed, in general, to mounting assemblies and,more specifically, to assemblies for mounting motors.

BACKGROUND

Air mover devices in space-conditioning systems can generate significantamounts acoustic noise, in particular, pure tone acoustic noise, whichis objectionable to the end-users of the space-conditioning system. Oneconventional belief has been that such acoustic noise results frompressure waves generated by unsteady flow caused by the air mover,forcing the air through the air-mover at discrete frequencies with theair going from a compressed to less compressed state as it leaves theair mover.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present disclosure is a mounting assembly. Theassembly comprises a rigid connector structure configured to attach anair-regulating plate of an air-mover unit to an enclosure of theair-mover unit, wherein the air-regulating plate is in an air-flowpathway of air-moving elements of the air-mover unit. The assembly alsocomprises a flexible connector structure, wherein at least part of theflexible connector structure is held in-between a plate-mounting portionof the air-regulating plate and an enclosure-mounting portion of theenclosure by the rigid connector structure.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure is an air-mover unit for aspace-conditioning system. The unit comprises an enclosure configured tohold air-moving elements there-in and an air-regulating plate situatedover an air-exit opening of the enclosure and in an air-flow pathway ofthe air-moving elements. The unit also comprises one or more mountingassemblies. Each one of the mounting assemblies includes a rigidconnector structure configured to attach the air-regulating plate to theenclosure, and, a flexible connector structure, wherein at least part ofthe flexible connector structure is held by the rigid connectorstructure, in-between a mounting portion of the air-regulating plate anda mounting portion of the enclosure.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a method of assemblingan air-mover unit. The method comprises placing air-moving elements ofthe air-mover unit inside of an enclosure of the air-mover unit. Themethod also comprises situating an air-regulating plate over an air-flowopening of the enclosure and in an air-flow pathway of the air-movingelements. The method further comprises attaching the air-regulatingplate to the enclosure using a mounting assembly. Attaching theair-regulating plate including fixing a plate-mounting portion of theair-regulating plate and an enclosure-mounting portion of the enclosurein-between one end and an opposite end of a rigid connector structure ofthe mounting assembly, wherein at least part of a flexible connectorstructure of the mounting assembly is in-between the plate-mountingportion and the enclosure-mounting portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates exploded isometric detailed view of an example motormounting assembly of the disclosure;

FIG. 1B illustrates exploded isometric detailed view of another examplemotor mounting assembly of the disclosure;

FIG. 1C illustrates exploded isometric detailed view of another examplemotor mounting assembly of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates exploded isometric view of an example air-moving unitthat comprises an embodiment of mounting assembly of the disclosure,such as any of the embodiments discussed in the context of FIGS. 1A-1C;and

FIG. 3 presents a flow diagram of an example method 300 of assembling anair-mover unit, such as any of the units 102 discussed in the context ofFIGS. 1A-2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The term, “or,” as used herein, refers to a non-exclusive or, unlessotherwise indicated. Also, the various embodiments described herein arenot necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combinedwith one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments.

The embodiments of the present disclosure benefit from an examination ofa new hypothesis on how acoustic noise may be generated in air moverdevices. As part of the present disclosure it was hypothesized thatsubstantial amount of the acoustic noise, especially the mostobjectionable pure tone noise, is a result of pressure changesassociated with the moving elements of the air mover releasing energyinto the moving components and housing components of the air mover atdiscrete frequencies. The released energy causes these components tovibrate. In the case of the moving components, much of the energy isthought to be suppressed and absorbed because of high mass and mountingconfiguration of the moving components. In the case of the housingcomponents, due to their lower mass and present configuration, more ofthe released energy gets translated into vibration energy, which inturn, leads to the acoustic noise, including the pure tone noise.

Based upon the new hypothesis, it was thought that acoustic noisesuppression could be achieved by diverting at least some of the releasedenergy into flexible connectors as part of embodiments of a mountingassembly used to hold certain components of the housing together. Inparticular, the use of flexible connectors as part of a mountingassembly holding a blower housing cutoff plate to other parts of thehousing was discovered to be effective at suppressing acoustic noise,including pure tone noise.

One embodiment of the present disclosure is a mounting assembly. FIGS.1A-1C illustrate exploded isometric detail views of different exampleembodiments of a motor mounting assembly 100 of the disclosure, e.g.,for an air-mover unit 102. For clarity, certain features of the assembly100 may be depicted or discussed in the context of one of FIGS. 1A-1C.However, any of the features depicted or discussed in the context of oneof FIGS. 1A-1C could be used or combined with any of the otherembodiments of the mounting assembly discussed herein.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 1A-1C, the assembly 100 comprises arigid connector structure 105 (having cylindrical shank 107) configuredto attach an air-regulating plate 110 of the unit 102 to an enclosure115 of the unit 102. The air-regulating plate 110 is in an air-flowpathway 120 of air-moving elements of the unit 102 (e.g., through anopening 122 of the enclosure 115). The assembly 100 also comprises aflexible connector structure 125. As illustrated, in some cases, theflexible connector structure 125 can have a cylindrical shape structurehaving a central long-axis opening 127 to accommodate the shank 107 ofthe rigid connector structure 105 there-through (e.g., along dimension129). At least part 130 of the flexible connector structure 125 is heldin-between a plate-mounting portion 135 of the air-regulating plate 110and an enclosure-mounting portion 140 of the enclosure 115 by the rigidconnector structure 105.

As illustrated, the plate-mounting portion 135 and enclosure-mountingportion 140 can be adjacent to or near the opening 122 in the enclosure115 through which the air-flow pathway 120 is directed.

The rigid connector structure 105 has sufficient mechanical strength tohold the air regulating plate 115 and the enclosure 115 together duringthe operation of the air-mover unit 102. For instance, some embodimentsof the rigid connector structure 105 can be made of plastic, metal(e.g., steel or aluminum) or other similar materials.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C, in some embodiments, the rigid connectorstructure 105 is shaped as a pin that has a cylindrical shank 107wherein the shank 107 is shaped to hold the air-regulating plate 110 tothe enclosure 115 by passing through an opening 144 of theplate-mounting portion 135 of the air-regulating plate 110 and throughan opening 146 of the enclosure-mounting portion 140 of the enclosure115.

As also shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, in some cases, to accommodate embodimentsof a pin-shaped rigid connector structure 105 there-through at asubstantially perpendicular angle, the mounting portion 135 of theair-regulating plate 110, or, the mounting portions 140 of the enclosure115 can be a bent or a raised portions of the plate 110 or the enclosure115, respectively. For instance, the mounting portion 135 can be bent toform a plane 150 that is substantially perpendicular to a major plane152 of the plate 110. For instance, a planar portion 154 of theenclosure 115 can be stamped, punched or pressed to form theenclosure-mounting portions 140 which is raised above of a major plane155 of the enclosure 115.

In some cases, as illustrated in FIG. 1A-1C, one end 156 (e.g., aretaining end) of the pin-shaped rigid connector structure 105 has aflat head that is too large to pass through the opening 144 of theplate-mounting portion 135 or the opening 146 of the enclosure-mountingportion 140 and thereby retains the one end 156 to the outside of theopening 144. In some cases, the flat head of the retaining end 156 canhave a slot therein or have hexagonal- or rectangular shape to use amounting tool such as a screw driver or wrench to facilitate passing theother end 157 of the pin-shaped rigid connector structure 105 throughthe openings 144, 146 and/or secure the other end 157 to theenclosure-mounting portion. In some cases, as illustrated in FIG. 1A,the pin-shaped rigid connector structure 105 is shaped as a screw with athreaded ridge 158 along the cylindrical shank 107. In some such cases,the other end 157 of the connector structure 105 can form an apex tofacilitate boring through the opening 146 of the plate-mounting portion135.

As further non-limiting examples, in some embodiments as illustrated inFIG. 1B, the rigid connector structure 105 can be a bolt with a threadedshank 107 and further include a nut 160 configured to be treaded on tothe other end 157. In other cases, as illustrated in FIG. 1C, the rigidconnector structure 105 can be a bolt with a smooth shank 107 designedto fit through pre-formed openings 144, 146 and the other end 157 has anopening 158 to accommodate a hitch pin 162 there-through to prevent thebolt from sliding out of the openings 144, 146. In still other cases,the rigid connector structure 105 can be a rivet with a smooth shank 107that fits through the openings 144, 146, and the other end 157 isbuckled or deformed to be larger than the openings 144, 146. In stillother cases, the rigid connector structure 105 can be a clamp thatclamps around the plate-mounting portion 135 and the enclosure-mountingportion 140. Based upon the present disclosure, one skilled in the artwould appreciate that other embodiments of the rigid connector structure105 could be used to hold the air regulating plate 110 and the enclosure115 together with the flexible connector structure 125 heldthere-between.

In some embodiments, such as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1C, theflexible connector structure 125 includes, or is, a rubber grommethaving an axial opening 127 that surrounds at least part of thecylindrical shank 107 of the rigid connector structure 105 and isthereby held in place by the rigid connector structure 105. It isdesirable for the rubber grommet to be composed of a soft elastomericmaterial rubber material that is compressible so as to absorb thevibrational energy transmitted to the flexible connector structure 125and thereby suppress acoustic noise. For instance, in some cases theflexible connector structure 125 is a rubber grommet composed of anelastomer having a durometer hardness in the range of 30 Shore A to 40Shore A. For instance, in some cases, elastomer is an ethylene propylenediene monomer rubber. Based on the present disclosure one skilled in theart would appreciate other types of materials that would be appropriateto use.

In other embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the flexible connectorstructure 125 includes, or is, a spring. For instance, the flexibleconnector structure 125 can be a cylindrically-shaped spring having theaxial opening 127 that fits around the cylindrical shank 107 of therigid connector structure 105, thereby keeping the spring held in placeby the rigid connector structure 105.

In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 1A, the entire flexible connectorstructure 125 (e.g., configured as either a rubber grommet or a spring)can be located in-between the plate-mounting portion 135 and theenclosure-mounting portion 140. In some cases as shown in FIG. 1C,another portion 164 (e.g., continuous with the rest of the flexibleconnector structure 125) of the flexible connector structure 125 islocated in-between the enclosure-mounting portion 140 and the end 156 ofthe rigid connector structure 105 that is distal to the air-regulatingplate 110. Such a configuration helps to keep the flexible connectorstructure 125 in its proper place during the assembly of the mountingassembly 100. Additionally, the portion of the flexible connectorstructure 125 in-between the enclosure-mounting portion 140 and therigid connector structure end 156 can further absorb vibrational energyand thereby enhance acoustic noise suppression of the assembly 100.

As an example, the flexible connector structure 125, when configured asa cylindrically shaped rubber grommet, can have a central annular slotthat separates the flexible connector structure 125 into a portion 130that is located in-between the plate-mounting portion 135 and theenclosure-mounting portion 140, and, another portion 164 that is locatedin-between the enclosure-mounting portion 140 rigid connector structureend 156. Because the flexible connector structure 125 configured as arubber grommet is soft and compressible, one of the portion 130 or otherportion 164 can be squeezed through the enclosure opening 146, e.g., inthe factory, and thereby hold the rubber grommet in place adjacent tothe enclosure-mounting portion 140 without further action on the part ofthe installer.

In still other embodiments, such as when as illustrated in FIG. 1B theentire flexible connector structure 125 is located in-between theplate-mounting portion 135 and the enclosure-mounting portion 140, theassembly 100 can further include another flexible connector structure165 located in-between the enclosure-mounting portion 140 and the end156 of the rigid connector structure 105 that is distal to theair-regulating plate 110. The second flexible connector structure 165(e.g., configured as a cylindrically-shaped rubber grommet or a spring)can further absorb vibrational energy and thereby enhance acoustic noisesuppression of the assembly 100.

As further illustrated in FIG. 1A some embodiments of the assembly 100can further include a rigid sleeve 170 having a cylindrical shank 176with an axial opening 174 allowing a cylindrical shank 107 of the rigidconnector structure 105 there-through. The cylindrical shank 176 of therigid sleeve 170 passes through an axial opening 127 of the flexibleconnector structure 125 and the opening 144 of the plate-mountingportion 135.

The rigid sleeve 170 can be composed of a material (e.g., aluminum,steel or hard plastic) having sufficient durability to withstand forcesapplied to it without failure and with properties which will suppressvibrations at frequencies different than those that the grommet 125 aremost effective in suppressing, thus providing a wider range of vibrationsuppression capabilities

In some cases, the rigid sleeve 170 helps prevent shipping damage andlong-term changes in shape of the flexible connector structure 125. Forinstance, flexible connector structure 125, configured as a rubbergrommet, can be subject to creep or tearing from rubbing against any ofthe rigid connector structure 105, plate-mounting portion 135 orenclosure-mounting portion 140. Such damage to the flexible connectorstructure 125 can cause the mounting assembly 100 to fail to suppressacoustic noise, or, reduce the efficiency of the air-mover unit 102,e.g., due to misalignment of the air-regulating plate 110 relative tothe enclosure opening 122.

As further illustrated in FIG. 1A, to further protect the flexibleconnector structure 125, the rigid sleeve 170 can further include anend-flange 177 having an outer diameter 178 that is larger than adiameter 180 of the axial opening 174 of the enclosure-mounting portion140 and the opening 127 of the flexible connector structure 125, whereinone end 182 of the flexible connector structure 125 rests against theend-flange 176.

In some embodiments, to provide fine-tuning of acoustic noisesuppression, the rigid sleeve 170 provides compression control of theflexible connector structure 125, when the flexible connector structure125 is held between the plate-mounting portion 135 and theenclosure-mounting portion 140.

For instance, in some cases, the cylindrical shank 176 of the rigidsleeve 170 stops around the part of structure that defines the opening144 of the plate mounting portion 135 to thereby stop full compressionof the flexible connector structure 125. As an example, the total length184 of the shank 176 can be adjusted to prevent full compression of theflexible connector structure 125, e.g., from over-tighten of the rigidconnector structure 105 to the plate-mounting portion 135 and/orenclosure-mounting portion 140. Fully compressing the flexible connectorstructure 125 could detrimentally prevent the structure's 125 ability toabsorb energy from the air-mover unit 102, and thereby detract fromefficient acoustic noise suppression.

For instance, the outer diameter 179 or length 184 of the shank 176 canbe adjusted to permit a specific degree of compression of the flexibleconnector structure 125 (e.g., in a range from about 10 to 90 percentcompression as compared to a fully relaxed state with no compressiveload), to thereby fine-tune the suppression of particular frequencies,e.g., pure-tone frequencies, of acoustic noise generated by theair-mover unit 102.

Embodiments of the mounting assembly can include different types ofrigid and flexible connector structures located to hold in differentportions of the air-regulating plate to different places of theenclosure. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1C, other embodiments ofthe mounting assembly 100 can further include a secondary rigidconnector structure 190 configured to attach the air-regulating plate110 to the enclosure 115 and a secondary flexible connector structure192. At least part of the secondary flexible connector structure 192 isheld in-between a secondary plate-mounting portion 194 of theair-regulating plate 110 and a secondary enclosure-mounting portion 196of the enclosure 115 by the rigid connector structure 190. The secondaryplate-mounting portion 194 is in a different location (e.g., a rearportion of the plate) than the plate-mounting portion 135 and thesecondary enclosure-mounting portion 196 is in a different location(e.g., distal to the air-flow pathway opening 122) than theenclosure-mounting portion 140.

In some cases, the secondary flexible connector structure 192 can be ofthe same type, size and material composition as the primary flexibleconnector structure 125. In other cases one or both of the type, size orcomposition of the secondary flexible connector structure 192 than theprimary flexible connector structure 125, e.g., to enhance acousticnoise suppression or mechanical stability increasing greater creep andtear resistance.

For instance, in some embodiments, the primary flexible connectorstructure 125 can be or include a spring, and, the secondary flexibleconnector structure 192 can be or include a rubber grommet. Or, in someembodiments as shown in FIG. 1C, both of the primary and secondaryflexible connector structures 125, 190 can be or include a rubbergrommet. However, the rubber grommet of the primary flexible connectorstructure 125 is composed of the elastomer having a durometer hardnessscale in a range of 30 Shore A to 40 Shore A, and, the secondaryflexible connector structure 192, is composed of a different elastomerhaving a durometer hardness scale in a range of 55 Shore A to 65 Shore A{e.g., Styrene Butadiene Rubber) to provide a flexible grommet withgreater mechanical stability than the rubber grommet of the primaryflexible connector structure 125.

For instance, in still other embodiments, both of the primary andsecondary flexible connector structures 125, 190 can be or include arubber grommet (or spring) composed of the same material. But the rubbergrommet (or spring) of the primary and secondary flexible connectorstructures 125, 190 can different sizes to hold the differentplate-mounting portions 135, 194 to differently shapedenclosure-mounting portions 140, 196, respectively.

Similarly, the primary rigid connector structure 110 and secondary rigidconnector structure 190 can be of same type, size and materialcomposition as the primary flexible connector structure 125, or,different type, size or material composition as needed to accommodatethe configurations of the primary and secondary flexible connectorstructures 125, 190.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is an air mover unit for aspace-conditioning system. For example, the space-conditioning systemcan be an HVAC or heat pump system used in commercial or residentialbuildings. FIG. 2 presents a perspective view of an example air-moverunit 102.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 1A-2 throughout, the exampleair-mover unit 102 depicted in FIG. 2 comprises an enclosure 115configured to hold air-moving elements 205 there-in. The unit 102 alsocomprises an air-regulating plate 110 situated over an air-exit opening122 of the enclosure and in an air-flow pathway 120 of the air-movingelements 205). The unit 102 further comprises one or more mountingassemblies 100. The mounting assembly 100 can be configured as any ofthe example mounting assemblies 100 discussed in the context of FIGS.1A-1C. Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, each of the mounting assemblies 100includes a rigid connector structure 105 configured to attach theair-regulating plate 110 to the enclosure 110 and a flexible connectorstructure 125, wherein at least part of the flexible connector structure125 is held, by the rigid connector structure 105, in-between a mountingportion 135 of the air-regulating plate 110 and a mounting portion 140of the enclosure 115.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, in some cases, the air-moving elements 205 areblades of a wheel 210 of the air-mover unit 102 (e.g., an indoor blowerunit 102 of an HVAC system 200) that is configured as a centrifugalblower, and in such cases, the enclosure 115 is a blower housing. Asfurther illustrated the unit 102 can further include a motor 215configured to drive the air-moving elements 205, e.g., by rotating thewheel 210. For instance, is some cases the motor 215 can be anElectronically Commutated Motor. Such motors, while efficient atgenerating air flow, can also generate pulsations that can lead tosystem vibrations. In other cases, the air-moving elements 205 can beblades of a propeller of the air-mover unit 102 configured as a fanblower (e.g., an outdoor fan unit 102 of an HVAC system 200).

The air-regulating plate 110, sometimes referred to as an air cut-offplate, can be composed of metal such as aluminum and shaped and asillustrated in FIG. 2, can have a curved shape to accommodate the shapeof the moving elements 205 and wheel 210. However, the air-regulatingplate 110 other shapes and materials could be used to focus the airflowpathway 120 and increase the air pressure generated by the air-moverunit 102 as needed by the space-conditioning system 200.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, in some cases, the air-regulating plate 110 isa physically separate structure from the enclosure 115 and is onlyconnected to the enclosure 115 by the one or more mounting assemblies100.

However, in other cases, the air-regulating plate 110 can be permanentlyfixed to or continuous with the enclosure 115, but still have afree-moving adjustable portion. Once the location of the adjustableportion is set, the one or more mounting assemblies 100 can hold theplate 110 to the enclosure 115 such that the flexible connectorstructure 125 can dissipate the energy transferred from the air-flow 120to the plate 110.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a method of assemblingan air-mover unit. FIG. 3 presents a flow diagram of an example method300 of assembling an air-mover unit, such as any of the units 102discussed in the context of FIGS. 1A-2.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 1A-2 throughout, as illustrated inFIG. 3, the method 300 comprises a step 305 of placing air-movingelements (e.g., blades 205 connected to wheel 210) of the air-mover unit102 inside of an enclosure 115 of the air-mover unit 102. The method 300also comprises a step 310 of situating an air-regulating plate 110 overan air-flow opening 122 of the enclosure and in an air-flow pathway 120of the air-moving elements 205. The method 300 further includes a step315 of attaching the air-regulating plate 110 to the enclosure 115 usinga mounting assembly 100. The attaching step 315 includes a step 320 offixing a plate-mounting portion 135 of the air-regulating plate 110 andan enclosure-mounting portion 140 of the enclosure 115 in-between oneend 156 and an opposite end 157 of a rigid connector structure 105 ofthe mounting assembly 100 and a step 322 of placing at least part 130 ofa flexible connector structure 125 of the mounting assembly in-betweenthe plate-mounting portion 135 and the enclosure-mounting portion 140.

In some cases, as part of situating the plate in step 310 includesfinding a position for the plate 110 that optimally focuses the airflowpathway 120 toward the opening 122 and increases the air pressuregenerated by the air-mover unit 102. Once the optimal position for theplate is located, the plate's 110 position is set in place by performingattaching step 315.

In some cases, attaching step 315 includes a step 324 of placing anotherportion 164 of the flexible connector structure 125 in-between theenclosure mounting portion 140 and the one end 156 (e.g., a retainingend) of the rigid connector structure 105 that is distal to theair-regulating plate 110. In other cases, in step 326, the entireflexible connector structure 125 is placed in-between the plate-mountingportion 135 and the enclosure-mounting portion 140. In still othercases, in step 328, another second flexible connector structure 165(e.g., of different composition in some cases) is placed in-between theenclosure-mounting portion 140 and the one end 156 (e.g., retaining end)of the rigid connector structure 105 that is distal to theair-regulating plate 110.

In some cases, attaching step 315 includes a step 330 of passing therigid connector structure 105 through an axial opening 174 of acylindrical shank 176 of a rigid sleeve 170, and, a step 335 passing thecylindrical shank 176 of the rigid sleeve 170 through an axial opening127 of the flexible connector structure 125. In some cases thecylindrical shank is sized to stop full compression of the flexibleconnector structure 125 when the air-regulating plate 110 is attached tothe enclosure-mounting portion 115 in step 315.

In some cases, attaching step 315 can include a step 340 of adjusting adegree of compression of the part 130 of the flexible connectorstructure 125 located in-between the plate-mounting portion 135 and theenclosure-mounting portion 140 to minimize acoustic noise generated whenthe air-moving unit 102 moves air through the air-flow opening 122. Forinstance, part of step 340 can include adjusting the degree ofcompression to minimize acoustic noise generated when the air-movingunit 102 moves air through the air-flow opening 122. For instance, aspart of step 340, in step 342 connection end (e.g., the other end 157)of the rigid connector structure 105 is connected to the plate-mountingportion 135, e.g., such that the opposite end (e.g., retainer end 156)of the rigid connector structure is adjacent to enclosure-mountingportion, and, in step 344, the connection end is mounted further intothe plate-mounting portion 135 so that flexible connector structure 125is compressed. For instance, the rigid connector structure 105,configured as a bolt, or screw, can be rotated around the structure's105 long axial length (e.g., an axis along the length of the shank 107)so that the connection end is mounted further into the plate-mountingportion 135. In some cases, as discussed above, the rigid sleeve 170 cancontrol the degree of compression of the part 130 of the flexibleconnector structure 125 when the tightening step 354 is applied.

Those skilled in the art to which this application relates willappreciate that other and further additions, deletions, substitutionsand modifications may be made to the described embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mounting assembly, comprising: a rigidconnector structure configured to attach an air-regulating plate of anair-mover unit to an enclosure of the air-mover unit, wherein theair-regulating plate is in an air-flow pathway of air-moving elements ofthe air-mover unit; and a flexible connector structure, wherein at leastpart of the flexible connector structure is held in-between aplate-mounting portion of the air-regulating plate and anenclosure-mounting portion of the enclosure by the rigid connectorstructure.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the rigid connectorstructure is shaped as a pin having a cylindrical shank wherein theshank is shaped to hold the air-regulating plate to the enclosure bypassing through an opening of the plate mounting portion of theair-regulating plate and an opening of the enclosure mounting portion ofthe enclosure.
 3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the pin is shaped asa screw and there is an external threaded rigid along the cylindricalshank.
 4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible connectorstructure includes a rubber grommet having an axial opening thatsurrounds part of a cylindrical shank of the rigid connector structure.5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the rubber grommet is composed of anelastomer having durometer hardness scale in a range of 30 Shore A to 40Shore A.
 6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible connectorincludes a cylindrical spring having an axial opening that fits around acylindrical shank of the rigid connector structure.
 7. The assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the entire flexible connector structure is locatedin-between the plate mounting portion and the enclosure mountingportion.
 8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a portion of the flexibleconnector structure is located in-between the enclosure mounting portionand an end of the rigid connector structure that is distal to theair-regulating plate.
 9. The assembly of claim 1, further includinganother flexible connector structure located in-between the enclosuremounting portion and an end of the rigid connector structure that isdistal to the air-regulating plate.
 10. The assembly of claim 1, furtherincluding a rigid sleeve having a cylindrical shank with an axialopening allowing a cylindrical shank of the rigid connector structurethere-through, wherein the cylindrical shank of the rigid sleeve passesthrough an axial opening of the flexible connector structure and theopening of the plate mounting portion.
 11. The assembly of claim 10,wherein the rigid sleeve further includes an end-flange having adiameter that is larger than a diameter of the axial opening of theflexible connector structure, wherein one end of the flexible connectorstructure rests against the end-flange.
 12. The assembly of claim 11,wherein the rigid sleeve provides compression control of the flexibleconnector structure when the flexible connector structure is heldbetween the plate mounting portion and the enclosure mounting portion.13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the cylindrical shank of the rigidsleeve stops against the opening of the enclosure mounting portion tothereby prevent full compression of the flexible connector structure.14. The assembly of claim 12, wherein an outer diameter or length of thecylindrical shank are adjusted to provide a specific degree compressionof the flexible connector structure that suppresses a pure-tonefrequency of acoustic noise generated by the air-mover unit.
 15. Anair-mover unit for a space-conditioning system, comprising: an enclosureconfigured to hold air-moving elements there-in; an air-regulating platesituated over an air-exit opening of the enclosure and in an air-flowpathway of the air-moving elements; and one or more mounting assemblies,each of the mounting assemblies including: a rigid connector structureconfigured to attach the air-regulating plate to the enclosure; and aflexible connector structure, wherein at least part of the flexibleconnector structure is held, by the rigid connector structure,in-between a mounting portion of the air-regulating plate and a mountingportion of the enclosure.
 16. The air-mover unit of claim 15, whereinthe air-moving elements are blades of a wheel of the air-mover unitconfigured as a centrifugal blower.
 17. The air-mover unit of claim 15,wherein the air-moving elements are blades of a propeller of theair-mover unit configured as a fan blower.
 18. The air-mover unit ofclaim 15, wherein the air-regulating plate is a physically separatestructure from the enclosure and is only connected to the enclosure bythe one or more mounting assemblies.
 19. A method of assembling anair-mover unit, comprising: placing air-moving elements of the air-moverunit inside of an enclosure of the air-mover unit; situating anair-regulating plate over an air-flow opening of the enclosure and in anair-flow pathway of the air-moving elements; and attaching theair-regulating plate to the enclosure using a mounting assembly,including fixing a plate-mounting portion of the air-regulating plateand an enclosure-mounting portion of the enclosure in-between one endand an opposite end of a rigid connector structure of the mountingassembly, wherein at least part of a flexible connector structure of themounting assembly is in-between the plate-mounting portion and theenclosure-mounting portion.
 20. The method of claim 19, whereinattaching the air-regulating plate to the enclosure includes adjusting adegree of compression of the part of the flexible connector structurelocated in-between the plate-mounting portion and the enclosure-mountingportion to minimize acoustic noise generated when the air-moving unitmoves air through the air-flow opening.